Near-Field Optics of Localized Surface Plasmons

This book presents an overview of plasmonics investigated by direct imaging of localized plasmons in gold nanoparticles by PSTM. A theoretical background is provided and results about single nanoparticles 1D and 2D assemblies are presented and discussed. The fabrication of samples by EBL and of probes by etching is described as well as the analysis of the shear-force tunig-fork distance-sensing mechanism. Several appendices include all the technical details. The book may represent a good starting point in the field for graduate students or young researchers. The students will find here a useful playground for exercising in their fundamental physical knowledge. The researchers will find the background for the variety of progressing nanotechnological applications of plasmon-susceptible metal nanoparticles from SERS to biomedical assays/sensors from optical filters to data storage/communication.